Yang Ning couldn't help but shudder, breaking out in a cold sweat.
At last, he understood why Kuishan County had been governed so ineffectually all these years.
The root of the problem lay with the county's highest-ranking officials. One after another, they had died under mysterious circumstances.
This was no ordinary vendetta or clash between rival factions. It was downright bizarre.
No wonder order had crumbled. No wonder monsters and demons roamed rampant!
"Those high-ranking officials who suddenly dropped dead were no weak, bookish scholars who couldn't fight off a chicken."
Gong Tian's voice was heavy.
"Every one of them knew martial arts. They were all Organ Refining experts, and had refined at least three of their organs!
Yet they still died without explanation.
And it's not just the Inner City. It seems something is stirring in the mountains of the Southern Frontier beyond the city, faintly echoing the chaos within."
He looked at Yang Ning, his gaze sharp.
"This is beyond what I, a Patrol Bureau Captain stationed in the Outer City with limited authority, can handle or investigate thoroughly.
Only someone like Master, a Banner Officer, can personally step in. He may be able to part the fog, expose the mastermind, and stabilize the situation."
"So Master is going to take charge in the Inner City, and you'll go with him to support him, Senior Brother?"
Yang Ning understood.
"That's right.
Master needs capable people at his side. I've worked in the Outer City for years and know the various factions in the Inner City fairly well, so I'm the right person for the job."
Gong Tian nodded.
"As for everything here in the Outer City, especially the East Street Patrol Bureau and the Jingan Bureau's covert agents stationed here, it needs to be entrusted to someone absolutely trustworthy who can also keep things under control."
His gaze settled on Yang Ning, filled with trust and expectation.
"Junior Brother, you've now joined Master's school.
Master has high hopes for you. He's letting you start at the same rank as me in the Patrol Bureau: Black Iron Lieutenant.
You'll be able to take charge of matters in one area yourself.
Normally, it's hard to earn this rank without reaching Hidden Force.
This means that the Jingan Bureau's forces and responsibilities in the Outer City have effectively been handed to you ahead of time. Don't betray that trust."
The Jingan Bureau's guards were divided into ranks.
The lowest rank was Warrior. Warriors were usually reserve members of the Jingan Guard awaiting evaluation.
They were generally at the Body Tempering or Tendon Changing stages and were all led by Captains of the second rank.
The second rank was Black Iron Lieutenant. A Jingan Bureau Captain was officially entered on the rolls of the Jingan Bureau's main headquarters, a full-fledged frontline member.
From what Yang Ning had learned in casual conversations with his Senior Brother, they were usually at the Bone Forging or Organ Refining stages and could lead a number of Jingan Bureau Warriors.
Above Black Iron Lieutenant were the Patrol Bureau's Banner Officers, and above them were the Chief Banner Officers stationed at the main headquarters in Prefecture City.
His own Master, Sun Nian, was the unfathomable Banner Officer of the Patrol Bureau. He had reached a realm beyond the mortal.
Yang Ning's heart burned with resolve. He cupped his fists solemnly.
"Rest assured, Senior Brother. Yang Ning will do everything in his power and won't let you or Master down!"
"Good!
At first, I had some reservations about Master's decision, but I'm very pleased with how you performed today.
You were decisive and ruthless, whether punching Ghost Abacus to death or beheading Wang Han.
The Tiger Soul Fist truly is one of the most lethal arts in the Five Animals Technique. Its force is terrifying.
You're naturally gifted with tremendous strength, too. Taken together, your combat strength is already close to Hidden Force.
I can rest easy handing all this over to you."
Gong Tian took a thin, unmarked booklet from his robe and handed it to him.
"This contains the names and contact methods of some of the Jingan Bureau Warriors assigned to the Outer City.
'Destroy after reading.' Memorize it."
Yang Ning accepted the booklet solemnly and opened it.
Twenty-one names were written in tiny script, each followed by a simple code name.
Most of them were at the late Body Tempering stage or the Tendon Changing stage.
Their areas of expertise, as well as the codes and locations for contacting them in an emergency, were also listed.
They were scattered throughout the Outer City, each with a different identity.
Some worked as shop assistants, some were affiliated with gangs, and some were even minor clerks in other government offices.
But the largest group were fighters at the Martial Arena who had ties to Gong Tian!
These Patrol Bureau Warriors kept a low profile in their daily lives and only acted on specific orders.
He read through the booklet quickly and intently, imprinting every name and detail in his mind.
About the time it took an incense stick to burn, he closed the booklet and nodded to Gong Tian.
Gong Tian took out a fire striker and set one corner of the booklet alight.
The orange flames danced, quickly devouring the paper until only a pinch of ash remained. Gong Tian opened the carriage window and scattered it into the night wind.
"Remember the codes. They recognize the codes, not the people.
Among these men, don't activate anyone except the Warriors who fight full-time at the Martial Arena unless it's absolutely necessary.
When you get the chance, go to Elder Song and get a Secret Message Bird. Then we'll be able to keep in touch.
Junior Brother, remember: the Jingan Bureau's missions come first. Don't casually deploy people for minor matters.
The Patrol Bureau and all those outside forces must serve your duties as a Jingan Bureau Captain.
Don't lose sight of what matters most!"
"I understand, Senior Brother."
Gong Tian nodded slightly.
"Tomorrow, I'll officially announce your appointment at the East Street Patrol Bureau office.
You'll first become the first Patrol Chief of East Street.
After the Blood Ape Gang affair, you've already built up enough prestige in the Patrol Bureau, so this shouldn't cause any trouble.
Chen Qi, ranked fifty-second on the Top Hundred Ranking, is quite capable, about on par with the few Patrol Chiefs at the office.
You can rely on Qian Zhong as an aide. He can become your deputy in time.
The rest are my old subordinates. They're reasonably loyal, and with your strength, you should be able to keep them in line.
Of course, once you reach Bone Forging and master Hidden Force, you'll be absolutely secure."
Yang Ning listened intently. At this point, he glanced at the panel before him.
[Yang Ning] [Destiny: Destined Martial Saint, Heaven Rewards Diligence] [Realm: Tendon Changing] [Techniques: Tiger Soul Fist (Bone Forging 1250/10000) Wind Howling Blade Technique (Minor Mastery 190/1000)]
Even after fighting Chen Qi and Wang Han, I've only recently broken through. It'll still take some time to reach the Bone Forging stage and generate Hidden Force.
But once I become Patrol Chief, there's bound to be plenty of conflict as I deal with the situation in the Outer City. When the time comes, I can temper my cultivation through diligent practice. Bone Forging will be within easy reach.
With that thought, Yang Ning nodded.
"I understand, Senior Brother. I'll work hard at my cultivation these coming days and strive to master Hidden Force and reach Bone Forging as soon as possible."
Gong Tian waved a hand.
"Don't push yourself too hard. Cultivation requires a balance between exertion and rest.
It took me ten years to go from the early Body Tempering stage to the brink of Organ Refining. I spent two or three years grinding away at Bone Forging, too. There's no rushing it.
After the Patrol Bureau appoints you tomorrow, come with me. I'll introduce you to some of the influential figures whose ties run deep throughout East Street.
That'll serve as a handover and give you one last show of support."
He explained:
"I'll stay here for a while longer. Once I've initially refined my first organ and stabilized my Organ Refining cultivation,
I'll set out for the Inner City to join Master.
At that point..."
He gazed intently at Yang Ning.
"You'll be the true authority in the Outer City's East Street Patrol Bureau, the East Street Patrol Commander!
And you'll also be the Jingan Bureau's Black Iron Lieutenant here, wielding its hidden blade!"
The carriage rolled steadily onward through the night, and silence settled over the cabin once more.
Yang Ning looked out the window.
The streetlamps along the road glimmered faintly, outlining the familiar shape of Kuishan County's Outer City. But after today's conversation, it seemed shrouded in an unfamiliar shadow.
His Senior Brother had paved part of the road before him, and his Master had shown him its general direction.
But the thorns and storms that lay ahead were his to face alone, and his alone to cut through.
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